The shepherd leads the flock to safety. Notice the little lamb.
I am a nobody. I don’t have a large ministry or platform. I am merely one of many nameless, faceless, little sheep who have been wandering in the evangelical wilderness for a long time. I don’t have much money, or even the strength and enthusiasm of my youth anymore. I’m not worth much to the typical pastor. Even so, I have something to say. And I hope that my obscurity won’t be a cause for dismissing my concerns.

Just in case those who are in positions of leadership haven’t noticed–the sheep are scattered. Many in the flock have given up on shepherds completely, forming home churches, or even quitting church altogether. Many are fed via the internet. They long for fellowship and love, but for them, the churches have become battlegrounds, rather than sanctuaries.

We are living in a time when many shepherds have gone astray from the truth of the Bible, yet they still carry the name of Jesus. It’s very difficult to know which shepherd is trustworthy. (It’s gotten so confusing that at this point in time, what one part of the church is calling apostasy, another part of the church is calling revival!)

This has caused some of the mature sheep to bleat loudly because they want to warn the flock, but it’s very bewildering to the little lambs who don’t understand why they can’t trust their shepherd. They don’t believe that the food or water they’re being fed is unhealthy or even poisonous. They feel love coming from the shepherd. Unfortunately, like a young, teenage girl, they aren’t able to discern between the language of true love and the language of seduction.

Because of this inability to discern, I believe that the pathway of truth needs to be made more clear . . . and I’m begging the good and faithful shepherds to provide well-lit trails of safety and refuge that the little flock can easily follow.

One day the hirelings will have to give an account to the Great Shepherd–whose heart’s desire was to gather his flock like a mother hen gathers her little chicks under her wings. Some of his last, precious words were those of a shepherd: “Feed my lambs . . . feed my sheep . . . feed my sheep.” He spoke this to Peter, who would later write to those who were to become elders:

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. (1 Peter 5:2-4)

Are there no shepherds who take these words to heart? Are there no shepherds who desire to watch over the flock and long to gather those who are scattered? Are there no shepherds who have the courage to fight off the “grievous wolves” who will not spare the flock? (Acts 20:29) Are there no shepherds who have the heart of Jesus?

If these pastors exist, I cannot seem to find them in my corner of the world. My husband and I often spend a year in a church before we discover the heart of the shepherds and leaders. Often times the doctrinal statements and sermons are sound, but the further we venture into the congregation, the more book studies, prayer methods, and false doctrines we uncover. We feel like Ezekiel who discovered “greater abominations” as he was led further into the temple (Ezekiel 8).

The evangelical church is more like a minefield than a green pasture. There are dangers everywhere. The church has been decimated by prosperity preachers who use the flock for “dishonest gain” (and actually worship mammon), false revivalists who bring in lying signs and wonders, and postmodern preachers who lead the flock away from trusting in the Word.

The latest trend is toward “Cathangelicalism,” a blend of Catholicism and evangelicalism. The worst part of this Cathangelical movement is that it is rooted in the writings of the “ancient” Catholic mystics . . . those who knew nothing about repenting from dead works and putting their faith in the finished work of the Cross.

Consider this gallery of horrors:

Kenneth Copeland (of the Charismatic/Word Faith stream) has led his flock toward union with the Catholics and Pope Francis.
James Robison (a Southern Baptist) has met with Pope Francis and co-wrote a book with Catholic Jay Richards.
John and Carol Arnott (of the Toronto movement) have met with Pope Francis and are now hosting ecumenical “Fire and Fusion” conferences with the Catholics.
Brian Stiller, the Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, has met with Pope Francis.
Thomas Schirrmacher, “the Pope’s most beloved Protestant,” and chairman of the theological commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, has met with Pope Francis.
Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, former Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the World Evangelical Alliance, met with Pope Francis.
Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer has met with Pope Francis. He has also promoted the works of Ignatious of Loyola and Teresa of Avila, Catholic mystics who opposed the Reformation.
Rick Warren (a Southern Baptist) has met “our Pope” Francis and admits that he is a fan of EWTN, the Catholic cable channel.
The line-up at “Together 2016” (which included a message from Pope Francis) included Francis Chan, Southern Baptist Convention president Ronnie Floyd, Ravi Zacharias, and many other popular evangelicals.
At “Azusa Now” Lou Engle and Catholic Matteo Calisi kissed each other’s feet in a demonstration of unity.
Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen has met with Pope Francis.
Pope Francis even met with Stacy Campbell, the “hissing prophetess” who prayed and prophesied that he would be the next Pope.
The Pope has met with Che Ahn.
The pope has met with Kris Valloton of Bethel Redding Church.
Luis Palau believes Pope Francis is a Christian.
Many seminaries and universities are required to provide spiritual formation to be a part of their program in order to receive accreditation.
Lutherans have taken communion with Pope Francis.
The evangelical move towards Catholic, contemplative, mystical prayer has been well-documented by Lighthouse Trails and Ray Yungen.
Catholics and evangelicals have joined together under two declarations: “The Manhattan Declaration” and “Catholics and Evangelicals Together.”
Christian publishers such as Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, InterVarsity Press, and Multnomah have each published multiple books on contemplative prayer.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on. And all of this compromise, idolatry, and corruption in the temple of the Lord has trickled down to the local church. It’s rampant! How are the sheep (or the little lambs!) supposed to make their way through this mess?

Is it necessary for me to remind the church of those who gave their lives in the flames of the Inquisition in order to preserve the truth? Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, and Tyndale were courageous and stood fast against the false teachings of Catholicism. As Protestants they separated from the Roman Catholic Church and lit the way of truth for their generation. And now, are we just willing to forget their efforts and become a generation that allows Christianity to be plunged into another thousand years of darkness?

Greg Laurie had his Harvest Crusade not long ago. He expected to reach over 100,000 people with the Gospel. I can’t help but ask: WHERE WILL THEY GO? Who will disciple them? Jesus confronted this exact problem when he cried out to the Pharisees:

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:15)

How many of those fresh little baby lambs will go out into the evangelical community and become meat for a false shepherd? AND HOW LONG WILL FAITHFUL SHEPHERDS TOLERATE THIS?

“As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand.” (Ezekiel 34:7-8)

It’s time for the faithful church to prepare places where the scattered sheep can find refuge from their battles, places where the little lambs can be gathered and given clean, clear water and be led to green pastures. We need sanctuaries with lamps in the windows, so that the scattered and wandering sheep are able to see the light from afar.

Perhaps the Great Shepherd is calling His flock out of the defiled, unholy, and lukewarm blend that is developing right before our eyes. Perhaps this is what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church in this hour. Perhaps this is the true revival the Lord wants to bring.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

This isn’t the first time it’s been necessary for the Lord to call out a remnant, but Jesus won’t leave His remnant untended. He wants the gates to be opened, the roads to be cleared of all impediments and built up to withstand the floods, with large signs put up to lead the way. It’s time for the church (especially the shepherds) to lead the flock safely home.

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.” (Isaiah 62:10)

If you are interested in helping to clearly light the way for the the little flock, won’t you sign the “Call to Come Out and Be Found Faithful” and encourage your church to become a part of the Faithful Church Network?

31 Responses to Guest Article; to the scattered flock of Jesus

G-d wrote in scripture too that I would have you hot or cold, but because you are LUKE WARM, I will sprew you out of my mouth.. wake up church, this is the last of the two thousand years that G-d said HE would come and the fiftieth jubilee and HE is never early but never late, tho we do not know the day or hour , we would know the season . this is the SEASON…

For some of us i fear it’s already too late, isolation and constantly being beaten down take their toll. The truth is who can we trust yes the Lord Himself but without regular fellowship the will to go on gets less as the days go by.

Hello Sue..I do not attend Church…IVE been to maybe 15 churches over 15 years..Always looking 4 a not almost perfect church but not a bogus church..I was missing fellowship and wickedshepherds.com had an answer 4 me..Christ alone is enough and some words Ken had 4 me and Bible verses..The website helps with where WE are, most of the NO church people..wickedshepherds.com

To Sue and all others who are in ‘isolation and constantly being beaten down’ – may I offer this in encouragement, and in His love..?

We are in a similar position, however, we have learned that He uses this position to draw us closer to Himself, into that relationship with Lord Jesus, that He desires. This ‘isolation’ and ‘beaten down’ are in themselves forms of persecution from the adversary of the most High God that He uses to refine us – and He knows those who are His.. as we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Be encouraged, our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus know exactly what we are going through.. 🙂

So I have learned over the many years of seeking a sound church that there are some but there is the need for me to personally keep being fed at the throne through ongoing study of the word daily and taking up the function of speaking to whomsoever the Lord may bring across my path

I asked Him to make the most of every opportunity and keep me filled up and willing to speak what I am given at each encounter

It is difficult to see so many seeking to be “fed” by man but have yet to realize that our Lord is willing and able to take up each of us and teach us through study of His word and through those who offer to share online what they have learned

Rightly dividing the Word as through recognizing “to whom it is written” this rightly dividing the Word of Truth

It’s a heart ache to observe so many led into false teachings but that is a result of believing they themselves do not need to low the Word to straighten out what they hear

I know the difficulty and frustration though God has brought me through the lengthy process of learning to stick with personal study and willingness to speak up whenever as I am out and about

At age 69….born from above in Jesus Christ… 48 years ago….He finishes what He has begun

We just have to continue with Him in His word and we are the. his discples indeed

He provides fellowship despite the dearth of what we have desired ….His fellowship is not without the complete of what He wants for His

Take heart …He provides what is needed

Receive …retain the faithful word….and release it for it is life to those who receive it with Meekness

Yes Roger..IM with you, Thank You for your encouragement.. IM without fellowship and a church..I dont have a TV either..TV is a distraction from my Lord and I tossed it in the trash..How ever, so is this compute a distraction..I am taught Christ is enough and this is how we get closer and closer 2 HIM..wickedshepherds.com helped me some with Truth..2 many Distractions from Christ..I spend a lot of time alone with Him…

Regarding your guest article this exactly expresses the position,however as
Roger has stated,it has drawn us to the precious
Word,and we needed that refining.
It is a comfort though to hear of others,and to take heart so that we can pray for one another.
So Thankyou for your guest contributor,and for your ministry to us
Bill.
Betty.
U.K.

This article tells it exactly as it is – well done! I’m very blessed that I’ve found a completely faithful church, with a leadership that refuses to either compromise or accommodate, but I’m painfully aware of the maelstrom of apostacy in the church today and grieve for “baby” Christians. I’ll be discussing the article with my Pastor at the first opportunity. The book of Jude was never more relevant.

What a heartening post, the Lord does indeed call out His sheep and they will not follow another.This is the Revival in these days, that is the Remnant. My husband and I have built up an Ark fellowship over the past years a few come every month to join together from various churches. The Lord gave us a purpose to build an Ark based on His Word. Many times there are only a few who meet but the need remains. Soon we will welcome Bill to come and speak, there will be a gathering of like minded Christians, if you are reading this and live within a drive to Thirsk, North Yorkshire please come and join us in fellowship and teaching on Novemeber 1st. 7.30 pm to the Ark Fellowship, Knayton, Thirsk.
In His Love
Rebecca and Mike

christianity420 says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
October 8, 2016 at 8:00 am
What a heartening post, the Lord does indeed call out His sheep and they will not follow another.This is the Revival in these days, that is the Remnant. My husband and I have built up an Ark fellowship over the past years a few come every month to join together from various churches. The Lord gave us a purpose to build an Ark based on His Word. Many times there are only a few who meet but the need remains. Soon we will welcome Bill to come and speak, there will be a gathering of like minded Christians, if you are reading this and live within a drive to Thirsk, North Yorkshire please come and join us in fellowship and teaching on Novemeber 1st. 7.30 pm to the Ark Fellowship, Knayton, Thirsk.
In His Love
Rebecca and Mike
Reply

Thank you, Lyn: the book of Jude is indeed relevant to what’s going on now in our churches.

Jude: 17-25 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last days there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them: to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and for evermore! Amen

We must keep our eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus, be led by the Holy Spirit and continue to avidly read the Word. Be strong, be faithful, be persevering, and avoid at all cost being contaminated by the world.

When speaking of these things this verse always comes to mind:
“Then those who FEARED the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and HEARD it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who FEAR the LORD and who ESTEEM His name. “They WILL be MINE,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I WILL SPARE them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the ARROGANT and every evil doer WILL be chaff; and that day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.” “BUT, for you who FEAR My name, the sun of righteousness WILL RISE with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.

AMEN!! I LOVE this!!! such an encouragement for ‘the scattered ones’ who LOVE the Great Shepherd!! Notice – the “FEAR of the LORD” is a key to knowing who TRULY loves Him! There is such arrogance with those who are among the false. And,those of us who love Him are beginning to be able to better distinguish between the sheep and ‘goats’ who have come (have actually been brought in by ‘men’!) among us… the LORD is watching, and literally taking notes…

Remember, the LORD uses ALL THINGS for GOOD for the ones who LOVE Him – and that includes this ‘scattering’ – as painful as it is for us… I always try to remember that young Jewish man who got ‘kicked out of the temple’ for testifying truth – and Jesus went OUT to Him….

“They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.”

and another…

“…Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to HIM from everywhere.”

Jesus is faithful, and when we pray for ‘HIS WILL to be done’, we can know that He will lead us to others who truly LOVE Him… outside the ‘camp’… as few as they may be. 🙂

Awesome Writing, Beautiful…SO Many of us are in the same boat.. Years ago I had a Dad who did not like the Catholic Religion..He would Preach and Yell on the evils, the garbage of Catholicism and taught me truths that were right on..I learned VERY YOUNG..wickedshepherds.com is very helpful 4 new lambs..Also, good information for anybody..4 Me…Thanks 4 this..

Many thanks Bill, and to all the commenters on this site.
The blog from Diana was to say the least a wakeup call. The human heart is desperately wicked, mine certainly is. We all need daily washing by Gods word, and the present situation in the churches today has certainly made me search my own heart and true commitment to Jesus and his finished work.
The comments on this blog are some of the best I have read for some time, and give one assurance that one is not alone in standing for truth.

FTA: “The line-up at “Together 2016” (which included a message from Pope Francis) included Francis Chan, Southern Baptist Convention president Ronnie Floyd, Ravi Zacharias, and many other popular evangelicals.”

Other than the fact that Ravi Zacharias was one of the speakers at “Together 2016” , is there something specific with Ravi’s apologetics ministry with which the author takes issue? Is he promoting false teachings? If so, what are they? What specifically did he say at the “Together 2016” conference that puts him in the category of a false teacher? Does the author take issue with RZIM’s ministry in general?

I can’t speak for the pastor of this blog, but it is a well known thing among the remnant that the together event is an apostate event and anyone associating with it is endorsing apostasy, and thus making themselves apostate. We must come out from among them, and ‘not even give them a greeting’ (regarding false teachers, etc.) or we are guilty by association in that regard according to God’s Word. That said, I am not surprised that Ravi was there as he has been slipping further into apostasy aside from this issue. Of course that does not mean that everything they say is always false. That would not be deceptive. Now, some are intentionally deceiving while others are gullibly deceived.

I have copied information for you about him from the site “Berean Research,” the post is dated January 7, 2016, and more can be found there, but here is one small piece of it:

“The link below brings you to an essay written in 2008. Since that time Ravi has descended further into questionable associations. At one point he praised Catholic Mystic Henry Nouwen, in addition to compromising on Mormon theology as you will read in the link below of that and other compromises

Thank you so much for sharing that, and I am in the same camp.
I have tried to start a home church here in Southern California many times, but still find no one other than online who is in this camp of the remnant! Being a single woman is also complicating matters further. Hopefully you get further than I did.

As others have said, I totally agree with all of that in that He gives us what we need. I have had times in and not in churches. While there I have warned of what is happening. There are a few that are still loyal, but it is a needle in a haystack.

It is a form of persecution and as that always goes, it is a refining process.
Do not lose heart!
“For thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. “As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.” Ezekiel 34; 11-12

Go ahead and skip the first 45 seconds or even
two minutes of this for the purpose of why I’m
sharing this video (by someone I don’t know or
or follow at all but who did okay with this topic).

While I like the main article of the guest writer, it is
significant to point out that the Catholic merging has
been going on for some time. For instance, it has been
decades that abortion has been a topic to focus religious
people on politics and policy rather than true evangelization.
Catholicism and others have been openly already working thus.

Last week it was announced that Finn would join a conservative independent presidential ticket led by former CIA agent and Republican House staffer Evan McMullin. The pair bill themselves as the conservative alternative to Trump: committed to traditional Republican principles like a strong national defense, free markets and respect for religious liberty and the sanctity of life. (Disclosure: It’s why I plan on writing [i]n the pair.) For the many conservatives aghast at Trump’s policy positions and statements that are antithetical to what mainstream Republicans (were thought to) believe over the past half-century, the McMullin-Finn ticket provides a principled way to cast a ballot, even if the chance of the ticket garnering double-digit support is next to nothing outside of the mountain states. [They are above 20% in Utah, while Trump and Clinton have been tied at some other number above 20 and lower than 30.]

McMullin’s campaign began in August, and his slogan is, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.” It was, however, too late to get on the ballot in every state. The pair has an unorthodox path to victory according to New York magazine:

ABC News pondered this subject for some time, and concluded that McMullin’s miracle plan is to win Utah and then deny both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump the 270 electoral votes necessary to win in the Electoral College, and then prevail in the House as regular Republicans and presumably some Democrats lift the third-place EC winner to the top of the heap.

With the religious makeup of the McMullin/Finn ticket — a Mormon and a Jew, respectively — and the conservative constituency’s horror at both Trump and Clinton’s many moral failings, winning Utah and other socially conservative states could actually be possible. In a story for BuzzFeed, McKay Coppins outlined what he called a “remarkable conservative Mormon revolt taking place against Donald Trump.” He interviewed Utah’s lieutenant governor, who said: “I never believed the earlier stories about Trump losing Utah… Now, I’m honestly not sure. This feels different.”

{I (Marleen), myself, am no longer an “economic” libertarian, which is what Republicans have (some unwittingly) been trying to approach or pretending to be for a long time and has been a major downfall of the party (and is likely to continue with this choice), but is not what most conservatives have been upset about. At least these two people (McMullin at the top of the Independent ticket) are against both abortion and sexual assault, and more.

In another article (at the same site), Finn said:

Trump is an “Aspiring dictator.”

Finn has been an early and outspoken member of the #NeverTrump club inside the GOP. When she announced her candidacy, she described Trump as an “aspiring dictator.” A year earlier, she compared him to an abusive boyfriend during a CNN interview. “There’s an allure, he’s filling kind of a need and a void and people are attracted to him but ultimately he’s a bully. And he’s going to punch you in the eye.”}

Interesting article at this link. I take issue, or pause anyway, with three details: the email (“leaked”) has not been confirmed as real, and an official response included noting that Catholics also work for Clinton; I don’t believe church or the Catholic church started as far back as stated in the article; even if people can use dictionaries, they mostly don’t. Good article to read.